Jeweler to the Stars Neil Lane Talks Gems, Celebs, & Red Carpet Trends

Jennifer Garner at the 2013 Oscars. (Inset: Neil Lane). Photo: Getty

As far as Oscar diets go, Mae West had the right idea. “I never worry about diets,” she said. “The only carrots that interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.” While today’s starlets primp to prepare for Sunday’s telecast, jeweler to the stars, Neil Lane, makes sure that they receive a healthy dose of bling. Lane, who has been working with Hollywood’s leading ladies for the past twenty years, ensures that stars’ couture dresses and designer duds are accented with some of the world’s most valuable and unique gems.

Often lending from his private archival collection —which includes West’s iconic jewels — Lane has worked with everyone from Jennifer Lawrence to Renee Zellweger and has helped create some of the most well known Oscar looks in recent history.

Lane’s sensibility is rooted in his love and appreciation for antique pieces. He has been collecting vintage jewelry for decades, and incorporates the romantic aesthetic of old Hollywood into his contemporary namesake collection. We caught up with Neil, as he was busy preparing for this Sunday’s red carpet, to talk about Oscar jewelry trends, his favorite red carpet looks of all time, and how women without access to million dollar gems can still sparkle and shine.

Yahoo Style: Have you always been interested in jewelry?

Neil Lane: I’ve always been fascinated with colored glass and sparkle. When I was a little boy, my mom would take me to the park and when we got home she would have to empty my pockets because they were filled with colored glass.

Renee Zellweger at the 2003 Oscars with a Neil Lane ring. Photo: Getty

YS: And now you’re the go-to jewelry man in Hollywood. What’s been the most unusual request you’ve received?

NL: I got a request from Renee Zellweger in 2003. She was wearing a red Carolina Herrera, and just wanted to wear one ruby ring. She was a ring girl and just wanted that one piece. I made it for her and the next day she sent me a sweet little note on a tiny blue piece of paper that said, “Dear Neil, I stared at it the whole night.” She didn’t win the Oscar, but she loved the ring. This year, someone has requested to use a diamond necklace to hold up a flowing chiffon dress. We’re just here to help…but let’s hope the clasp holds and the dress doesn’t fall down!

YS: Fingers crossed for no wardrobe malfunctions! What is the most valuable piece you’ve ever lent?

NL: I loaned a huge blue diamond once. A very famous person was wearing it, but because of insurance reasons, we had to keep their identity confidential. It was worth millions of dollars. It was set in a ring and it was all about matching her blue eyes. Of course, when I lend from my archival collection the pieces are often so rare, usually one-of-a-kind, that they are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. And often times there are multiple pieces all stacked on a wrist or on a few fingers.

YS: What are some of the most memorable archival pieces you have lent out?

NL: Jennifer Garner at the 2013 Oscars wore an exquisite purple Gucci gown and a statement necklace once owned by European royalty. We had half the store out during her fitting, and I had to search deep in my archives to find the right piece.

Lorde at the 2015 Golden Globes wearing a Neil Lane necklace. Photo: Getty

YS: Has anyone fallen in love with one of the pieces and decided to purchase it after the event?

NL: Of course! I remember a while ago when Gwyneth Paltrow presented at the Oscars and I helped create a look to match her dark sultry makeup. I did these dark jewels, darkened diamond earrings, a necklace, and bracelets. She bought them all the next day!

YS: How has the role of red carpet jewelry changed over the years?

NL: In the golden days of Hollywood, designers made dresses for broaches and designed outfits around the jewelry. Clothes were designed for jewel wearing. Many people ask me why movie stars, who make zillions of dollars, have to borrow jewelry. These days it’s not about owning the jewels, it’s about a fashion statement, a look, walking on the red carpet and the spontaneous moment that is forever captured in a snapshot and then sent around the world. These girls couldn’t buy every jewel, there are so many red carpets and events, it’s all about the picture, and then it’s over.

Jennifer Lawrence at the 2014 Oscars wearing a “backlace” by Neil Lane. Photo: Getty

YS: You were responsible for the stunning “backlace” Jennifer Lawrence wore to last year’s Oscars. What are some of this year’s biggest trends?

NL: Styling is so instrumental in creating a look, as is the girl who is wearing the piece. For example, at the Golden Globes when Lorde stepped out in that masculine suit with her midriff showing and that stunning statement necklace, that created a trend. These things really have an effect. Did I know she was going to pull that off? Not really. There is magic that happens on the red carpet. There is adrenaline, lights, cameras, and the jewels take on a different life force. Adding glitz to menswear inspired looks is really cool right now. But classics like statement necklaces, cocktail rings, and long earrings are always favorites as well.

YS: What are your top five best Oscar looks of all time?

NL: That’s such a difficult question. I’ll have to include something of mine of course, but I would have to say Elizabeth Taylor, when she wore that blue dress with that huge diamond necklace from Richard Burton. She was jaw droppingly gorgeous. Ginger Rogers at the Oscars in 1946 wore an amazing set of Paul Flato jewels. In those days the jewelry was designed for someone, they would buy everything, and then they would wear them over and over again. I eventually purchased that suite of jewels and it’s actually being exhibited at the Museum of Fine Art, Boston. Sophia Loren always looked incredible, and Cher of course. When Angelina wore that black velvet dress, with her leg out, that was pretty memorable for me. She looked stunning, the leg caused a sensation, and she was wearing huge 15 carat drop earrings and diamond flame pins on the back of her dress. Working with her is always amazing.

Angelina at the 2012 Oscars wearing Neil Lane jewelry. Photo: Getty

YS: For those of us who can’t borrow a big blue diamond or Mae West’s earrings, what are the core pieces every woman should own?

NL: When a woman gets married I think she should get a pair of wedding diamond earrings. Then those earrings can become part of her future wardrobe. A pearl and diamond jewel is always great. It’s classic. A classic cocktail ring or right hand ring. Maybe a pair of diamond drops or a flower cluster that a girl can put in her handbag and they can throw on after work. Jewels that go from day to night are always great.

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